Sophistication and Its Discontents
If being a sophisticated European requires me to enjoy wretched, foul, Jew-hate like this, I'm proud to be an American.
As I've said before the anti-war left has become the most vile, hateful, nasty entourage of jerks I've ever come across. NO love, NO peace, NO wonder in their hearts. Only vile, odious, bigotism such as is.
UPDATE:
Reader Michael writes in:
"First of I would like to say that I loved the worst album cover article. My only problem is your criticism on the cartoon of Sharon. I personally think that it is quite tasteless, but to call something, that clearly shows that the maker does not agree with certain ISRAELI (note not Jewish) political decisions Jew hate is a bit hypocritical. My point is, why does everyone call such pictures of Putin or whoever, criticism but once in involves Israel it is straight away discrimination against Jews (aka Semitism). So to some it up once more: I agree that the cartoon is tasteless but to call something that is meant as critique on Israeli political decisions, Jew hate seems a bit short thinking to me. These are of course my personal views and I understand if you see the situation differently."
And my reply:
"By and large I agree with your sentiments in general. I think it's especially important that we not label everything or anything critical of Israel as Jew-hate, for both rhetorical and practical reasons. First, it de-stigmatizes actual anti-semitism, and second, trying to drive reasonable criticism of Israeli policies underground by de-legitimizing it actually only serves to worsen the situation.Nonetheless, there are times when anti-Israeli criticism IS Jew-hate and we need to label it as such. Just as if (legitimate) disagreements with the Black Caucus led one to (racistly) depict black Senators and Congresspeople eating watermelon. The particular history of anti-Semitism, with its accusations of baby-eating and the drinking of Christian or Muslim blood, makes this cartoon uniquely offensive, and deserving of reproach.
Thank you for your reasoned commentary -- it's quite welcome!"
